salad days

BB was called upon to help Mini-B put a plaster cast on a calf's broken leg the other morning (honestly, talk about playing at vets!) and in return we won half a dozen lettuces - to add to the dozen that are ready to pick in my garden - so we're eating a lot of salad at the moment.

I can't eat salad without vinaigrette but mine never seems to taste as good as other people's for some reason. It's a matter of personal taste what you put in it and the ratio of oil to vinegar and so on (I prefer more vinegar than recommended and I use a mixture of olive oil and sunflower oil), but here are some ideas from Jamie Oliver. Just mix all the ingredients together. They all serve 4.

Herb and Red Wine

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

5 tbsp olive oil

1 level tsp salt

1 level tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 heaped tbsp chopped fresh marjoram

1 heaped tbsp chopped fresh basil

1 heaped tbsp chopped fresh parsley

3 tbsp finely chopped shallots

Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
5 tbsp olive oil
1 level tsp salt

1 level tsp freshly ground black pepper

Marjoram and Balsamic Vinegar

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

5 tbsp olive oil

1 level tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 heaped tbsp chopped fresh marjoram

Mustard

1 heaped tbsp Dijon or wholegrain mustard

2 tbsp lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

5 tbsp olive oil

1 level tsp salt
1 level tsp freshly ground black pepper

Anchovy and Caper

2 tbsp lemon juice

5 tbsp olive oil

1 level tsp freshly ground black pepper

6 anchovy fillets, chopped or pounded

1 tbsp small capers, chopped or pounded

Honey, Wholegrain Mustard and Garlic

½ tsp chopped garlic

1 tbsp of your favourite honey

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

2 tbsp lemon juice
5 tbsp olive oil